TRAFALGAR, Ind. (CNS) -- It was a time to play. It was a time to pray.

But just as important, vocations summer camp in Indiana was an opportunity to bring together
teenage boys in middle school and high school who are open to the idea God
might be calling them to the priesthood.

"It shows me that I'm not alone in this world, that others want to
(consider the priesthood)," said Nick Porter, 15, who will begin attending
Cardinal Ritter Junior/Senior High School in Indianapolis in the fall. Porter
said he became interested in the priesthood in the fourth grade.

He was one of 58 boys who attended the fourth annual Bishop Brute Days held
recently near Trafalgar, a small town about 30 miles south of Indianapolis.

Archdiocesan priests gave presentations on the faith, celebrated Mass, heard
confessions and presided at Benediction. Meals were provided by the Knights of
Columbus and the Indianapolis Serra Club.

The camp was staffed largely by seminarians, who served as counselors and
mentors to the teenagers. They also took part in canoeing and other outdoor
activities and offered advice as campers tackled an obstacle course and played
dodge ball and other games.

"Part of the work of a seminarian is to find more seminarians,"
said Martin Rodriguez, a seminarian who recently completed his coursework at
Bishop Brute Seminary, "and I think with the youths there is a lot people
who are called to be a priest, but sometimes they are isolated in their own
parishes and they don't know there are other guys thinking about this
stuff."

Seeing the teenagers offered a "good refresher" on how God worked
in his life, added Rodriguez, who is continuing his priestly studies at the
Pontifical North American College in Rome.

"These guys have their own story, and each story enriches mine,"
he told The Criterion, newspaper of the Indianapolis Archdiocese. "When I
see them, I see myself at this age, and how I started discerning."

Father Robert Robeson, rector of Bishop Brute Seminary, said he believes
there is a growing interest among teenage boys in the possibility of pursuing
priestly vocations.
But having an interest is only the starting point, he said.

"I think that the first thing you've got to work on with young people
before you can really start talking about priesthood or vocation is the call to
holiness and the conversion of life," Father Robeson said, "and
trying to deepen your love for Christ, deepen that day-to-day appreciation for
the Eucharist and Mary and the teachings of the church."

Some of the campers have developed such strong vocational interests that
they attend the camp multiple times.

Derrick Roll, 14, came back to the retreat and camplike atmosphere for a
second straight year to continue discerning whether a calling to the priesthood
will be a part of his future.

He said his parents, particularly his father, have been very supportive.

"(My dad) just feels like God is pointing me in the direction to be a
priest," Derrick said. "He tries to encourage me every chance he
can."

While family can play a key role in helping young people discern their
vocation, being around like-minded teens also can be a positive thing, Father
Robeson stated.

"God calls each person in a very different way, but the important thing
is to connect them with (like-minded) kids," he said. "This retreat
demonstrates to them that there are many other young men who are thinking
(about the priesthood) and open in the same way."